| Method of operating a vehicle apparatus comprising the same -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Method of operating a vehicle apparatus comprising the sameUSPTO Application #: 20070299564Title: Method of operating a vehicle apparatus comprising the same Abstract: An engine management system and a method of operating the same within a vehicle. The system uses a plurality of software modules one of which communicates with the vehicle engine to communicate information and additionally communicates with at least one other software module that provides information regarding auxiliary device operations and parameters such that the first software module produces an input torque curve signal for the vehicle engine. Additionally, secondary software modules are able to provide reduced power requirements signals to a plurality of auxiliary devices in order to ensure optimum fuel economy and noise reduction. (end of abstract) Agent: Zarley Law Firm P.L.C - Des Moines, IA, US Inventors: Donald P. NELSON, Jeremy E. NACK USPTO Applicaton #: 20070299564 - Class: 701 1 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070299564. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]The invention relates to a method of operating a vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of multiple software modules in order to provide optimum driving conditions in regards to fuel consumption and noise for a vehicle. [0002]Known in the art is the use of software modules or ECUs (electrical control units) in order to control torque input to an engine. Specifically, multiple software modules or ECUs are used wherein the engine has its own separate ECU that communicates with an auxiliary ECU that controls an auxiliary function or device in the vehicle. By passing information between the engine ECU and auxiliary machine ECU operating conditions and torque curves sent to the engine are improved in order to provide an engine output. [0003]Despite these improvements, problems in the art still remain. Specifically, most vehicles have multiple auxiliary devices that need power from the engine, each having a different priority and importance regarding the operation of the vehicle. Similarly, at different times different auxiliary devices require different amounts of power input from the vehicle engine. Because of these problems power is often wasted within vehicles thus reducing fuel efficiency within an engine. Additionally, other considerations such the noise output of the engine cannot be optimized using current systems. Thus, there is a need for a method and device that improves upon the overall engine efficiency within a vehicle. [0004]Thus, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved vehicle operating method that improves the fuel efficiency within a vehicle. [0005]Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of operating a vehicle that reduces the noise level within the vehicle. [0006]A further object of the present invention is to provide software modules that maximize the performance of a plurality of auxiliary devices within a vehicle. [0007]These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008]A method and device for operating a vehicle. The vehicle has an engine management system that includes an engine that is controlled by a first software module. The first software module is in communication with a second software module. The second software module is in communication with a plurality of auxiliary devices that are manually operated by the engine and are in communication with both the first software module and the second software module. Thus, the first software module uses information gathered from the vehicle engine and the plurality of auxiliary devices to send torque and speed curve signals to the vehicle engine and additionally to send information to the second software module. Then, the second software module interacts with each individual auxiliary device to send signals to reduce the amount of power needed to an individual auxiliary device depending on the desired parameters of the vehicle such as the optimum noise level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an engine management system for a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0010]The FIGURE shows a schematic representation of an engine management system 10. The engine management system 10 comprises a vehicle engine 12 that is electrically connected and in communication with a first software module 14 that is also electrically connected and in communication with a second software module 16. Mechanically and electrically connected to the vehicle engine 12 and in communication with the second software module are a plurality of auxiliary devices 18. In a preferred embodiment, the first software module is an ECU (Electrical control unit) and is considered an engine management module. The engine management module determines the engine's speed versus torque characteristics and provides an input torque curve signal 20 to the engine 12. Additionally, the input torque curve signal 20 provides a choice of different torque curves wherein the vehicle engine 12 has the ability to change torque curves during operation. [0011]The engine management module also is responsible for sending an input speed signal 22 to the engine 12 to provide the desired speed of the engine 12. In a preferred embodiment this desired speed is calculated by determining the total flow needed from the array of pumps driven by the engine 12 and sending a desired speed that is 10-15% above the actual need in order to provide the pumps with some margin of error. The desired speed is also controlled by the sum of all torque requirements on the engine 12 and based upon the engine's torque versus speed curve. The majority of the torque demands are hydraulic pumps. Other demands such as mechanical drives are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. [0012]Other operations of the first software module 14 include avoiding engine speed adjustments such that surging occurs by having a parameter set delay in engine speed reductions. The first software module 14 also is able to handle reading a standard J1939 engine messages such as determining engine RPM, percentage of torque, and the like. Additionally, the first software module 14 has the ability to send feed forward adjustments to any speed critical functions when engine speed changes are made, again, to avoid surges. [0013]The first software module 14 also receives a torque curve output signal 24 and an engine speed output signal 26 from the vehicle engine controller to make continuous calculations. Simultaneously, the vehicle engine 12 has a plurality of mechanical connections 28 to the auxiliary devices 18 to operate these devices such that the auxiliary devices 18 each produce speed and torque requirement signals 30 that are also sent to the first software module 14 for calculations. Upon making calculations based upon all the signals received, the first software module 14 sends an output signal 32 to the second software module 16 and the first software module 14 similarly receives an input signal 34 from the second software module 16. Thus, the second software module 16 is able to send a reduce power requirement signal 36 to the plurality of auxiliary devices 18 when the second software module 16 determines reduction of power within an individual auxiliary device 18 is needed. [0014]The second software module 16, as with the first software module, in a preferred embodiment, is an ECU. Additionally, this ECU is considered the machine management module. Though the FIGURE presented only shows a second software module, a plurality of additional software modules can be utilized in order to account for a plurality of auxiliary functions. For example only, a single machine management module is provided in this disclosure. [0015]The second software module 16 determines the total torque and flow demand based on a plurality of parameters in order to feed this information to the engine management block, or first software module 14. These plurality of parameters include parameters associated with the auxiliary devices such as hydrostatic pumps within the system. The parameters include maximum displacement of the pump, the pump speed, the flow demand (rate unlimited) from machine management, the percent input signal, and the measured pressure within each hydrostatic pump. Additional parameters can come from open circuit pumps that have similar parameters such as the maximum displacement, pump speed, flow demand (rate unlimited) from machine management, the percent input signal (flow input to each of the valves), and measured pressure. Additionally, parameters associated with mechanical torque demands can also be considered. [0016]The hydrostatic pump displacement is known based on percentage command to that pump whereas the open circuit piston pump displacement is based on a percentage command to each flow control valve driven by the pump combined with the actual engine and pump speed. The torque demand by each pump is determined based upon the known displacement of the pump and a transducer measured pressure. Conversely, the flow demand needs of the functions driven by each pump also need to be known so that the engine speed is adjusted accordingly. [0017]The second software module 16 additionally is used for the application of specific items, such as for example, control of each pump or proportional valve signal. Specifically, any PID or other speed or pressure control of these functions may be used. Adding priority levels to the various functions also may be beneficial and specifically to note which functions should be limited when power required by all functions is higher than the engine's capability. Consequently, the second software module 16 is able to determine when to send the reduced power requirement signal 36 to each individual auxiliary device 18 to ensure the higher priority devices are able to receive the needed power regardless of engine conditions. [0018]In operation, the method of operating a vehicle using this engine management system 10 comprises providing a vehicle engine 12, first and second software modules 14 and 16 and a plurality of the auxiliary devices 18. The next step requires sending a speed and torque requirement signal 30 from the plurality of auxiliary devices 18 to the first software module 14. Then the vehicle engine 12 sends a torque curve output signal 24 and an engine speed output signal 26 to the first software module 14. Then the first software module 14 sends an output signal 32 to and receives an input signal 34 from the second software module 16. [0019]Once the signals 24, 26, 30, and 34 are received by the first software module 14, the first software module 14 determines desired or optimum torque curves and desired or optimum engine speed to be used by the vehicle engine 12. Then the first software module 14 sends a torque curve signal 20 containing the measured torque curves and an engine speed output signal 26 to the vehicle engine 12. Simultaneously, the second software module 16 based on system parameters and the output signal 32 of the first software module 14 calculates a second torque curve and optimum engine speed and sends a reduction power requirement signal 36 to at least one of the plurality of auxiliary devices 18 to reduce the speed and torque requirement of the auxiliary device 18. [0020]Thus, the engine management system 10 has a backup antistall such that if the actual engine speed falls below the target speed sent by the first software module 14 (engine management module) the first software module detects the inconsistency in the engine speed output signal 26. In response this information is passed along to the second software module 16 via output signal 32. The second software module 16 then controls the plurality of auxiliary devices 18. If the capability of the engine 12 has been exceeded, the second software module 16 sends a reduce power requirement signal 36 to a low priority high power auxiliary device 18 to prevent stalling. Thus, the second software module 16 is able to selectively send the reduced power requirement signal 36 to individual auxiliary devices 18 based upon a predetermined auxiliary device priority. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method of operating a vehicle apparatus comprising the same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method of operating a vehicle apparatus comprising the same patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080201023 - Method for reducing quiescent power draw and machine using same - A machine includes a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module. A method of operating the machine includes steps of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, and determining whether preconditions ... 20080201022 - Recreational vehicle warning and identification system related applications - A novel warning and identification system for use on recreational vehicles of various types, such as snowmobiles or ATVs, is disclosed as comprising a housing with a display that projects a digital number that is mounted and oriented to provide oncoming riders with information concerning the number of participants in ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method of operating a vehicle apparatus comprising the same or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Automatic communication of personalized messages to a telematics equipped vehicle Next Patent Application: Accelerometer based system for detection of tire tread separation and loose wheels Industry Class: Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method of operating a vehicle apparatus comprising the same patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15806 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
